Life Stages of Psychological Development ( Old Age ) Reported by: Justine F. Reyes

Old Age is the closing period in the life span Old Age is the closing period in the life span. It is a period when people ‘’move away’’ from previous more desirable periods or times of ‘’use fullness’’. Age of sixty is usually considered the dividing line between middle and old age.

Aging inevitably means physical decline, some of which may be due to lifestyle, such as poor diet and lack of exercise, rather than illness or the aging process. Energy reserves dwindle. Cells decay. Muscle mass decreases. The immune system is no longer as capable as it once was in guarding against disease. Body systems and organs, such as the heart and lungs, become less efficient. Overall, regardless of people's best hopes and efforts, aging translates into decline.

Aging in late adulthood profoundly affects appearance, sensation, and motor abilities. An older adult's appearance changes as wrinkles appear and the skin becomes less elastic and thin. Small blood vessels break beneath the surface of the skin, and warts, skin tags, and age spots (liver spots) may form on the body. Hair thins and turns gray as melanin decreases, and height lessens perhaps by an inch or two as bone density decreases.

The double standard of aging applies to men and women in older adulthood just as it did in middle adulthood. Older men may still be seen as distinguished, while older women are labeled as grandmotherly, over the hill, and past the prime of life.

Skin With age, the skin becomes less elastic and more lined and wrinkled. Fingernail growth also slows. The oil glands gradually produce less oil, making the skin drier than before. You can slow skin aging by using moisturizer and protecting the skin from the sun with sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, such as a hat or cap. Hair   It's normal for hair  to gradually thin on the scalp, pubic area, and armpits. As hair pigment cells decline in number, gray hair growth increases. Height.  By age 80, it's common to have lost as much as 2 in. (5 cm) in height. This is often related to normal changes in posture and compression of joints, spinal bones, and spinal discs.

Hearing.  Over time, changes in the ear make high-frequency sounds harder to hear and changes in tone and speech less clear. These changes tend to speed up after age 55. Vision.  Most people in their 40s develop a need for reading glasses as the lenses in the eyes become less flexible (presbyopia). It's also normal for night vision and visual sharpness to decline. Also in the later years, glare increasingly interferes with clear vision. Vision changes can affect your ability to drive safely. Sleep Changes in sleep and circadian rhythm occur as you age. You will probably sleep less at night, and you may not sleep as deeply as you did when you were younger. And it's more likely that you'll wake up during the night and/or wake up earlier in the morning.

Developmental tasks of Old Age Meeting social and civic obligations is difficult for many older people as their health fails and as their income is reduced by retirement. Sooner or later, most old people must adjust to the death of a spouse. This is a far more likely to be a problem foe women than for men. Because the death of a spouse often means reduced income and hazards associated with living alone, it may necessitate changes in living arrangements.

The Most Common Issues of Aging Heart conditions (hypertension, vascular disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease) Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease Depression Incontinence (urine and stool) Arthritis

Osteoporosis Diabetes Breathing problems Frequent falls, which can lead to fractures Parkinson's disease Cancer Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, Macular Degeneration)

Common Changes In Sensory Functioning In Old Age Vision Hearing Taste Touch Sensitivity to Pain

Common Changes In Motor Abilities In Old Age Strength Speed Learning New Skills Awkwardness

The End and Thank You 